On the penultimate day of U18 World Cup Division I Group B the Azzurrini fell against France, who prevailed with a clear 6 to 0. A complicated match for coach Chizzali’s boys, decimated by an intestinal flu epidemic (8 players absent). With just 9 attackers and 4 defenders on the ice, the match immediately started uphill: after 23 seconds of play Djian takes advantage of Dufour’s assist, first challenging Matonti and then returning it into the net. Italy tries in the powerplay, wasting a good chance with Meneghetti, but then collects the French goal to double the lead: at 14:56 Bertrand goes around the goal on a lightness from Matonti and scores 2 to 0. In the central period the Transalpines extend the lead: after a goal disallowed for a man in the area, at 26:14 Hostein finds the right opening with a broadside from the blue. The Azzurrini held their breath on two consecutive French powerplays and appealed to Matonti, who could do nothing 43 seconds before the second siren on Nathan Riu, which is outnumbered. In the third straight France increases the score, first with Monarque who at 47:07 pierces the blue goalie, then with the winning deflection of Djian at 54:50, for the definitive 6 to 0. Tomorrow coach Chizzali hopes to recover some of those affected by the flu for a match against South Korea (6.30 pm) which thus becomes of crucial importance for maintaining the category.
Italy U18 – France U18 0 – 6 [0-2; 0-2; 0-2]
Networks: 00:23 Robinson Djian (0-1); 2.56pm Matteo Bertrand (0-2); 26:14 Paulin Hostein (0-3); 39:17 Nathan Riu SH1 (0-4); 47:07 Alexandre Monarque (0-5); 54:50 Robinson Djian (0-6)
Shots on goal: 26-35
Penalty minutes: 6-4
Referees: Terakado / Brueggemann, Svoboda
Spectators: 632
